If that appeared disjointed then it was. And so were United. The first half was a struggle – for players and fans – with the home side going close only when Ashley Young’s fierce cross-shot was deflected inside the six-yard box by O’Shea onto the Sunderland crossbar and Sebastian Larsson cleared a goal-bound effort from Marcos Rojo.

It’s a bit harsh, but perhaps it’s my lowered expectations of United over the last two seasons. It wasn’t great by any measure, but they grew into the game and played good football for the second half.

Young was man of the match, Rooney was good, Smalling too, and I like Herrera in midfield. Sunderland just aren’t good and could very well go down this season.